Totally agree Mark. I think most of us have been proved right depending on how you look at it. A lot of us said give him a chance and if it isn't working - get rid. Exactly what's happened, doesn't that make us right? Anyway, putting that aside I am getting more worried about Wise or Hoddle.
Ted H
Mark B wrote:
So, the truth is revealed. It's nothing to do with Leeds, or Blackwell, or anything except prove that Rich W is "right", and the rest of us are "wrong".Truth is, Rich, we have no way of knowing if you're right or wrong until the end of the season. We'll never know if Blackwell could have turned things round in the remaining 38 games (38!)You've got what you wanted - Blackwell has gone. So don't whinge and moan if Wise, or Hoddle, or Lawrie Sanchez (whose prime achievement in league football is to get Wycombe relegated) is appointed in his place. Or if Blackwell goes off to manage Burnley and they beat us in the playoff final. No doubt you'll still be "right".If you'd read my posts, you'd know that I wasn't disagreeing with you about the poor quality of the football we've played at the end of last season, and at the start of this.But that's not the point I've been hammering at.All I, and the others who disagree with your view, have said, is that:Blackwell had turned the club round faster than could have been reasonably expected.In his first job as a manager, Blackwell had to deal with an extraordinary set of circumstances that are totally unprecedented in football. He's had to wheel and deal and balance books, while trying to get something resembling a team together, while paying out tens of millions of pounds to people who aren't here. And he got us to within 90 mins of the prem.For that reason he deserved a fair chance this season - something your shrill cries for his sacking ultimately denied him.I don't give a toss who's "right" or "wrong". I just want to see Leeds United restored to the premiership, and sustainably so. I don't care if this happens this season. Just so long as when we go up, we stay up.So Blackwell has gone - and he should go with thanks from every Leeds fan, regardless of your opinion of his tactics of late. The job he did to steady the ship was an exceptional one, in the most difficult of circumstances. Hardly surprising that he perhaps didn't get the best out of the players on the pitch when he had to deal with so much crap off it?Wise words from Sgt Wilko on Sky - "teams that constantly chop and change managers never win anything". (eg Newcastle). The other point I've been making - we need, above all else, stability. Do you agree?But Cuddly Ken is ruthless - we all know that - and he won't have sacked Blackwell unless he has a replacement lined up.Te only justification for replacing Blackwell would, as far as I'm concerned, be if the replacement would be significantly more able to achieve the strategic goal - ie sustainable promotion.And the one candidate who fits that bill for me is Curbishley. He needs to be appointed, and we should stick with him for as long as it takes. Do you agree? Stability?We've had five managers in five seasons. Enough chopping and changing. Appoint for the long-haul, the way ManUre did in 1986. They stuck with Spit for four seasons before he won anything, and seven before he won the league.I wouln't bet on Curbs coming, given the financial position at Leeds (and the fact that the Bolton job'll probably be availbale soon). And I certainly wouldn't bet against Ken appointing an ex-Chelsea crony.So answer me this Rich - if we get Glen Hoddle, will you still be "right"?Mark
